Oddbean new post about login | logout Okay but before I go to bed… one last question, cuz you all keep saying it… I know, I’m not your everyday user but what is a cypherpunk? Please don’t roast me
Someone who is interested in cryptography/encryption and using cryptographic tools for protecting freedom and privacy. The person who invented Bitcoin was a cypherpunk.
Oh well I freaking love bitcoin so I’m here for that!!!!!
A cypherpunk is any individual advocating widespread use of strong cryptography and privacy-enhancing technologies as a route to social and political change. Originally communicating through the Cypherpunks electronic mailing list, informal groups aimed to achieve privacy and security through proactive use of cryptography. Cypherpunks have been engaged in an active movement since at least the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Well, in my world, that’s punk af so I’m here for it
X2 ⬛️🟨🐍
https://cdn.nostr.build/i/be9f4dcbaaec1c1257099eea44742bfb9da520663d26eb49e6350709e231f58b.jpg
^^^ this is the greatest thing I have ever literally heard in my life! Thank you to the cypherpunks out there ♥️🫡 we owe you guys!
https://www.eff.org/cyberspace-independence also a great summation of cypherpunk ideology.
Seems about right
Which part 😎
The part where Eric Hughes wrote words about writing code 🖋️
Gotcha! It’s super hard to follow where comments are coming from and going to… that’s what I get for using a mobile app instead of my computer
Great question! Many who claim to know or be a cypherpunk often aren’t. There’s a manifesto by Eric Hughes, but it’s really an extension of an older idea: using mathematical techniques (cyphers) to improve your world. This approach goes back to innovations that shaped the modern world. The core principle is to use current technology to make things better, without needing permission from central authorities—the 'punk' part. It’s mostly about privacy, a human right that needs defending, but also extends to broader freedoms and protections. Satoshi is a great example, believing in privacy and financial freedom, coming from the cypherpunk community that inspired Bitcoin. Still more work to be done! https://www.activism.net/cypherpunk/manifesto.html
Math is such a fascinating part of our known world… all the things we can do with it. For instance, I didn’t really understand the value of cryptocurrency until I started making friends around the world. but I met a beautiful woman once… her family had been killed in a brutal civil war in her nation, her entire village… in front of her, in a day. But, she lived, and she was able to get herself out of a bad situation because her money was in Bitcoin on her ledger and it made it easy for her to escape. Changed my life. Changed my perspective.
suggested watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_Pov8cO7O4
https://www.activism.net/cypherpunk/manifesto.html
I appreciate everyone sharing this information with me! It’s helpful to provide perspective… I hear a lot of people voicing that sometimes people refer to themselves as cypherpunks when they aren’t. After reading up on it, it makes me reflect on all of my loved ones who are currently active duty or post combat vets. It seems like it would be akin to telling someone you are a soldier when you are not. I can see why that would feel disrespectful to those punks whom have been on the front lines. I’m sorry that slay your hero season is likely a constant for you.
